Boat Explosion and Fire Leaves Several Injured [Harrison Township]

A boat explosion and fire injured several people at a marina on South River Road in Harrison Township, Macomb County, on Thursday afternoon, July 30, 2026. At least three people were taken to a local hospital for additional medical treatment. The story was reported by ClickOnDetroit Local 4 News.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, the explosion and fire occurred at approximately 1 p.m. at the gas pumps at Tow Boat USA on South River Road. Several people were injured, and at least three were transported to a local hospital. The cause of the explosion and fire is unclear, and the investigation is ongoing as of the time of publication.

South River Road runs along the Clinton River near Lake St. Clair and is home to several marinas and boating facilities that serve recreational boaters throughout the summer. Although investigators have not identified the cause of Thursday’s explosion, marina fuel docks require careful handling because gasoline vapors can ignite under certain conditions.

What those injured may want to know.

When a boat explosion injures people at a marina, the legal questions depend on where the incident occurred, what caused it, and the relationship between the injured parties and the boat or facility involved.

For people who were on the boat at the time of the explosion, Michigan’s boating injury laws may provide avenues for recovery depending on the circumstances. Michigan’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to watercraft — boat crashes and explosions are governed by a different set of legal principles than motor vehicle crashes. Depending on what investigators determine, liability may involve the boat operator, the boat owner, a product manufacturer, or the marina or fueling facility. An attorney can evaluate the facts once investigators determine the cause of the explosion.

For people who were on the dock or at the marina facility when the explosion occurred, premises liability principles may be relevant. Property owners and operators generally have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for customers and visitors. If conditions at the marina contributed to the explosion, those facts may be relevant in determining liability.

Because the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, the legal options available to those injured will depend on what investigators determine. Speaking with an attorney early can help preserve evidence, identify available insurance coverage, and explain what legal options may be available as the investigation continues.

If you or a family member were injured in a boating incident in Macomb County or anywhere in the Metro Detroit area, our team may be able to help. To speak with a Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.

Sources: ClickOnDetroit